I have a new to me 2001 2.4l NA Cruise. It seems from the 21 pages of posts that issues with the vehicle overheating is common. What are the normal items that need to be replaced? T-stat, radiator hose, etc.

Are there specific items i should look for? Are there common oil leak issues, certain parts that seem to repetitivelybreak or wear out? Any insights would be welcome.

Robert

 

Hi Robert,
I've had my PT Ltd 5sp since ordered on the very first day it was possible (2/14/2000) and took delivery on 7/25/2000. Still a great driver and reliable vehicle. I too had overheating issues and what the culprit was turned out to be the plastic thermostat housing. It had a hairline crack which when hot would allow air to enter and/or coolant to escape. Once replaced with an aftermarket one its been fine. And after about 16 years the radiator needed replacement. Otherwise only the usual items required repair/replacing (brakes, rotors, tires, shift linkage bushings, occasional ABS sensor and once the watts linkage bushings). The biggest expense was the timing belt and associated parts (pulleys and water pump).

Oh, and I did have to replace the radio with a junkyard unit after about 15 years. The original just stopped working.

Have fun with your PT. I still do and its now over 20 years old.

Bob

 

Thanks for the reply Bob.

The timing belt/water pump was replaced at 115k miles on mine. Additionally these items were repaired per the documentation I received:

115,003 - 09MAY2019 - water pump
- coolant
- timing belt kit
- coolant drive belt
- thermostat

Last week I had to jump it because it sat for about two weeks or so. I drove it around the block and then I let it idle while I did some other work nearby. I noticed after about 15 or so minutes it started to overheat. I shut it down and let it cool off. I then refilled the resevoir. I have run it two seperate days since then and the first time after letting it warm up a bit it started gurgling after I shut it down. The second time it was only running for about five minutes and no odd behaviors.

I have bought a new thermostat and may get a new housing just based on your observation. I am waiting on some Amsoil trans and brake fluid and will have it all looked at the same time.

Thanks again.

Robert

 

Suggest also replacing the radiator cap. A failing radiator cap will not allow the proper pressure to build and cause the coolant to boil. Stop and go city driving overheating also points to the radiator fan not turning on or to the radiator possibly being restricted. You may also wants to test the coolant for exhaust gases to rule out a head gasket problem.

Just my bias, but I would advise against any transmission fluid other than licensed ATF+4. Amsoil does not meet ATF+4 specifications and I am wary of any transmission fluid that claims to be universal. The friction specifications alone from the various manufacturers are too diverse to be handled by a single trans fluid.

 

Thanks for the tip on the cap, but as for the lubricants...

They aren't that diverse. The clutch packs from automatic transmissions haven't changed all that much in the last 10 years, and if anything, every single transmission that I've had a customer switch over to AMSOIL has shifted more confidently and more smoothly with no jerkiness or erratic behavior. Furthermore, AMSOIL does have the ATF+ specification listed. Whether or not they paid for the licensing fees to Chrysler for that is irrelevant; it meets their specs.

https://www.amsoil.com/p/signature-s...ion-fluid-atf/


Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid ATF - AMSOIL
Shop Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid at AMSOIL. Find premium synthetic oil, filters and more online. Fast, free shipping available.
www.amsoil.com


Lastly, AMSOIL provides a warranty against failure due to any defect in the fluid in any equipment it's used, at their recommended interval, so there isn't even a concern there.


People love to fear monger over lubricant choices as if OEMs care about lubricant quality. Chrysler transmissions aren't exactly known for their reliability, so I'd be using the best fluid I could find in one.

Thanks,

Andrei Pop :: 219.779.7742

Titan Synthetics, LLC​ :: CruzeKits.com :: AMSOIL Regency Direct Jobber

 

Drink the kool-aide much? 'Shouting' (large font) only confirms my bias.

Amsoil does not state it meets any manufacturer 's specifications, only that Amsoil recommends its fluid for vehicles that require any of the listed manufacturer's specifications; not the same. If fluid types are not diverse, they why is Dexron VI not listed on their website as recommended? As for the quality of OEM fluids, please provide information that supports your claim.

Why doesn't Amsoil list the API certification on their motor oils? Do they not meet API certification?

By the way, I have had Chrysler's hit 290K miles, 240K miles, 190K miles 180K miles and 170K miles without engine or transmission failures and using OEM fluids.

It is your vehicle, just my opinion.

 

You sure jump to conclusions very quickly. I copied and pasted a response from my supplier and the forum software changed it to a large font, which by the way does not infer shouting, all caps does. I spent at least 20 minutes trying to fix that and was not able too.

So, if you chose to delve deeper into the links I gave you, you will see that they do indeed meet the API+4 specification. And I have been a happy customer for quite a few years now, so no Kool-Aid here. And as for the OEM lubricants, write to the man who made that statement. If you read the whole thing, you would see his name and contact info.

This is a copy and paste from the first link in the reply above - I added the emphasis:Proven in 180,000-mile, Severe-Service Taxi Fleet Field Trial
To demonstrate its effectiveness in severe service, Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic ATF was installed in Las Vegas taxi cabs. The vehicles routinely encountered demanding stop-and-go driving loaded with passengers and cargo, while the desert environment presented extremely hot ambient temperatures, placing enormous strain on the fluid. Following 180,000 miles, a transmission was selected for analysis. The Aluminum Beaker Oxidation Test (ABOT) is an industry standardized test used to determine a transmission fluid's oxidation resistance, which is a good indicator of its service life. Testing by an independent, third-party lab revealed that after 180,000 miles in severe service, Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic ATF resisted oxidation longer than required for new fluid to meet the Chrysler ATF+4 specification (see graph). Internal components, including the valve body and clutch plates (pictured), were virtually free of damaging sludge, deposits and wear, confirming the lubricant's high level of protection for severe-service applications.

 

Exceeding a single ATF+4 specification does not make it ATF+4 equivalent. There are a multitude of others specifications/requirements that go into ATF+4 besides oxidation resistance. It also notes a single transmission was selected/tested. A sample size of one is rarely conclusive.

By re-posting you agree with the statements of the original poster and their intent.

As noted, it is your vehicle and I clearly stated it was my opinion.

End of matter